"I-- you-- What?!" Hugo was utterly incredulous. "I was all like 'So, this ball thing?" and you just completely blew me off ..." he waved a hand aimlessly. "Like, yeah, heard about it, not interested if it's with you. I asked you before I was dared by Nick to take Queenie." He paused, reflecting on the strange night he'd had with Queenie. It had gone ... well. They'd been merrily abusive to one another all night, and finished up getting splendidly drunk on the punch before saying goodnight. But Alex had been in his head all night long. He hadn't been able to stop his gaze flicking to where she'd been standing with Antoine. And then she'd disappeared.
Hugo's eyes narrowed suddenly. Where had she been, and what had she done with that tosser? He looked her up and down. "You looked beautiful in that dress," he said quietly, his voice a little flat. She was still holding a handful of his shirt.